Uraemic toxins and cardiovascular disease.

When renal failure develops, uraemic retention solutes are retained which are normally excreted by the healthy kidneys. If these retention solutes exert biochemicalu biological activity, they are called uraemic toxins. According to their physico-chemical characteristics, they can be subdivided into [1]: (i) small water-soluble compounds (-500 Da, prototype urea); (ii) the larger so-called middle molecules ()500 Da, prototype b2-microglobulin); and (iii) the protein bound solutes. The retention of these uraemic solutes results in the progressive failure of virtually every organ system, in parallel with the failing function of the kidneys. The resulting clinical picture is the uraemic syndrome.